LAS VEGAS ? Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao is just a few days away, so here’s a quick guide to get you up to speed on the biggest fight in decades:
A is for Bob Arum, the 83-year-old founder and CEO of Top Rank Inc. He currently promotes Pacquiao and promoted Mayweather from 1996-2006. He’s been a dominant figure in the sport for a half-century, and promoted many of Muhammad Ali’s fights.
B is for Kenny Bayless, the veteran referee assigned to Saturday’s fight. It will be the sixth time Bayless has worked a Mayweather fight. He was the third man in the ring for Mayweather-Marcos Maidana II last September, and even was the referee in Mayweather’s professional debut in 1996.
C is for Cornermen. A fighter can have up to four on fight night, with one allowed in the ring between rounds. For the second consecutive fight, Bob Ware will be among Mayweather’s contingent. The others likely will be head trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr., cutman Rafael Garcia and assistant trainer Nate Jones.
D is for Drug testing. It was the major roadblock to the fight happening five years ago, but was one of the terms agreed to by Pacquiao for this fight. The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) is handling all random blood and urine testing for this fight.
E is for Leonard Ellerbe, the CEO of Mayweather Promtions. Ellerbe has the longest uninterrupted tenure of anyone in Mayweather’s camp, although there were rumors of a pending split after the last fight. The business aspect of his job means he’s no longer heavily involved in the day-to-day activities at the gym. Freddie Roach says Manny Pacquiao is his most prized pupil. AP Photo
F is for Freddie Roach. Roach has been Pacquiao’s trainer for 14 years. A month after they joined up, Pacquiao knocked out Lehlo Ledwaga for his second world title, at 122 pounds. If not for Roach’s rivalry with Mayweather Sr., there wouldn’t be much trash talk for this fight.
G is for MGM Grand. This will be Mayweather’s 11th consecutive fight at the casino, dating back to his record-breaking win over Oscar De La Hoya in 2007. Five of Pacquiao’s last seven fights also have been here.
H is for HBO. In order for Mayweather-Pacquiao to be made, HBO and rival network Showtime had to work together, something that hadn’t happen since Lennox Lewis-Mike Tyson in 1999. And, it hasn’t been easy.
I is for Injuries. The 38-year-old Mayweather and 36-year-old Pacquiao are in the twilights of their careers, so there’s bound to be some injury concerns. For Mayweather, it always starts with his hands. And for Pacquiao, it’s cramping calf muscles. Two things to watch on fight night. Floyd Mayweather beat Juan Manuel Marquez in 2009, while Manny Pacquiao and Marquez have fought four times. Cory Olsen | MLive.com
J is for Juan Manuel Marquez. Marquez is one of five common opponents between the two fighters. Pacquiao and Marquez had four memorable battles, the last a one-punch knockout in 2013 by Marquez. Mayweather’s win over Marquez in 2009 was one of his finest performances, even after a 21-month layoff.
K is for Knockout. Both fighters say they want it Saturday night, but the reality is it’s been a rarity recently for both Mayweather and Pacquiao. Aside from catching Victor Ortiz with his guard down in 2011, Mayweather hasn’t knocked anyone out since Ricky Hatton in 2007. Pacquiao’s 12th-round KO of Miguel Cotto in 2009 was the last of four consecutive knockout, but he hasn’t had one in nine fights since.
L is for Les Moonves, the CBS president who was crucial to making the fight happen. Arum often dealt directly with Moonves on issues holding up negotiations, or the promotion.
M is for Mayweathers. This is a family affair. Floyd will be in the ring, Floyd Sr. has served as his head trainer the past four fights, Roger still works with his nephew daily in the gym and uncle Jeff is around, too.
N is for Nevada State Athletic Commission, the sanctioning body for the fight. In addition to naming Bayless the referee, it also assigned the three judges: Burt Clements, Dave Moretti and Glenn Feldman. Moretti has been a judge at 10 of the last 15 Mayweather fights. Feldman has never judged a Mayweather title bout, or a Pacquiao fight at any level.
O is for Oscar De La Hoya, another common opponent. His fight against Pacquiao was his last, as he retired on his stool after eight rounds. De La Hoya’s fight against Mayweather also started a partnership under Golden Boy Promotions that lasted for 10 fights. This is the first time he isn’t involved in a Mayweather fight since 2007.
P is for Pay-per-view. It’ll be $99.95 if you want to watch in high-definition. (And, really, who buys a boxing PPV and doesn’t have HD?). This fight likely will top the PPV record of 2.45 million buys set by Mayweather-De La Hoya in 2007. PPV revenue will add to each fighter’s overall income from the fight, with Mayweather potentially reaching $180 million.
Q is for Chef Q, Mayweather’s personal chef Quiana Jeffries. He reportedly pays her $1,000 a meal. Will Floyd Mayweather fight again in September? Josh Slagter | MLive.com
R is for Rematch or Retirement. The question to the victor of Saturday’s fight will be what’s next. For Mayweather, he has indicated he’ll fight in September to fulfill his Showtime contract, and then retire. Roach has said he’ll urge Pacquiao to walk away after the fight if he wins. Could these two fight again in 2015? Money aside, a rematch is difficult to envision.
S is for Southpaw. Mayweather has faced eight left-handed fighters as a professional, but none like Pacquiao. Pacquiao is much more unorthodox, and throws punches from multiple angles. He’s a hard puncher with a high volume, reasons people have desired a Mayweather matchup for years.
T is for Tickets. Only about 500 were made available to the public, and they sold it out within minutes. Some $7,500 seats are now listed around $100,000 on the secondary market. The pricing means Mayweather-Pacquiao will smash the previous live gate record over just over $20 million for Mayweather-Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in 2013. This will be more than $70 million.
U is for Miss Universe. Had Pacquiao not been in Miami to judge the contest in late January, this all might not be happening. After weather delayed Pacquiao’s travel plans to leave, he and Mayweather met courtside at the Jan. 27 Miami Heat game, and then later in Pacquiao’s hotel room. That chance encounter has been credited by all parties as a big key to making the fight.
V is for Victory. For Mayweather, that’s ultimately what it’s all about. Others have criticized him for “protecting” his undefeated record, and even Arum said he’d be more human with a loss. But the 47-0 mark is something Mayweather takes great pride in and is his legacy, something that’s on the line against Pacquiao.
W is for welterweight. Mayweather-Pacquiao will be contested at the 147-pound division Each fighter will step onto the scale Friday at MGM Grand. Once a fighter has made weight, there is no limit to what he can weigh in the ring on fight night.
X is for X-factor. In this fight, does Pacquiao’s aggressiveness work for or against him? In order to beat Mayweather, you have to pressure him and throw a high volume of accurate punches. But Mayweather is one of the best counter-punchers of all time. When Mayweather starts timing Pacquiao, what happens?
Z is for Zab Judah, one of Mayweather’s sparring partners for the fight. Mayweather won a unanimous decision over Judah in 2006, and the left-handed fighter has been around camp often in recent years.
